Carolyn Murphy on Being the True "American Tomboy"

We fell in love with Shinola for its dedication to making American manufactured products that are built to last and beautiful inside and out. Stepping into a Shinola store feels much like being inside of your best friend's living room, carefully curated with not only amazing clothes and accessories, but stunning photography and amazing scented candles.

Last week, the brand unveiled its latest ad campaign at an intimate store event in New York City. The campaign, shot by Bruce Weber, explored their Detroit roots. It stars locals of the neighborhood alongside the beautiful Carolyn Murphy, who the brand identified as the true "American tomboy."

In addition to the photos, a series of five videos were created that capture the spirit of Detroit through the lens of Shinola.

We caught up with Murphy at the event to hear about the experience of being shot by Weber, her favorite Shinola product, and the video series that accompanies the photographs.

What was it like being in Detroit shooting the campaign? I imagine it was very different from a traditional high fashion photo shoot.

I can only say that it was this palpable, visceral…after seeing the videos just now it kind of brought me back there. It was emotional. This was more about the people and their sense of pride. I don't think any of us really knew what we were getting into.

What speaks to you most about Shinola?

I'm working with the brand as the Women's Design Director and really it's about quality. So the quality versus quantity, having something that's American-built, Detroit-made. Knowing that you're creating jobs for people in a city that hasn't been in the best of times. Even just stepping into the Shinola offices, how open it is, where they're making the watches, it's a connectedness that is so rooted, which is why Bruce had me come into the brand.

Tell us a little about the videos. What was that experience like? Did you have a favorite?

It's hard to say. I just got emotional while I was watching them. There's not a favorite, it just makes me want to go back. It makes me want to be there again. Those two days in October, out of my 40 years, and out of my 21-year career, this was definitely one of the most beautiful times.